Scuttled in October 2009 off Barwon Heads, the ex-HMAS Canberra is Victoria's first artificial reef purpose-built for diving. This 138-metre former Navy guided-missile frigate rests in 30 metres of water, with its masts rising to just 5 metres below the surface — making upper sections accessible to strong snorkelers and freedivers. You can swim over the flight deck, peer into the bridge, and explore engine rooms, the galley, and accommodation quarters as marine life progressively colonises the steel-and-aluminium wreck. The site lies within the Port Phillip Heads area and is accessed exclusively by boat from nearby Ocean Grove or Barwon Heads.
Ex-HMAS Canberra (dive wreck)
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Poor conditions. Stay out today.
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Wave Height 0.7 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 11 knPrecipitation 31 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Ex-HMAS Canberra (dive wreck) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Depth and decompression risk danger
The wreck sits at 28-30 metres depth. Snorkelers staying near the surface masts (5m) are safer, but freediving to lower decks requires advanced breath-hold skills.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
High risk: Depth and decompression risk
The wreck sits at 28-30 metres depth. Snorkelers staying near the surface masts (5m) are safer, but freediving to lower decks requires advanced breath-hold skills.
Moderate risk: Strong currents at Port Phillip Heads
Tidal flows through the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay can create strong, unpredictable currents around the wreck.
Moderate risk: Sharp edges and entrapment
The wreck has exposed metal, sharp edges, and confined interior spaces (engine rooms, accommodation quarters) that pose entanglement and laceration hazards.
Moderate risk: Changing weather and sea conditions
Southerly winds can quickly create rough seas and reduced visibility in the exposed waters off Barwon Heads.
Low risk: Boat traffic
The site is a popular dive destination and dive charter boats operate regularly; snorkelers must stay alert and be marked with a dive flag.
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No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
The wreck is located approximately 3 km offshore from Barwon Heads / Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula. Dive charter operators depart from Ocean Grove and Queenscliff. By car, take the M1 from Melbourne to Geelong, then follow the B110 to Barwon Heads or Ocean Grove.
Parking & facilities
Street parking available at Barwon Heads boat ramp and Ocean Grove foreshore. No dedicated parking at the dive site itself.
parking
No fee to dive the wreck itself (it's in public waters), but charter boat fees apply for transport to the site — typically $80-$150 per person depending on the operator.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports